Method and apparatus for facilitating establishing and maintaining communication services

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

0001This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/950,872 filed on Apr. 11, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/315,984 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,973,542) filed Jun. 26, 2014. The contents of each of the foregoing is/are hereby incorporated by reference into this application as if set forth herein in full.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

0002The subject disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for facilitating establishing and maintaining communication services.

BACKGROUND

0003Users of end user devices often desire access to a wide variety of communication services even during high mobility of the end user devices. Service providers can employ a number of different types of access networks that utilize different communication protocols for delivering communication services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0004Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

0005<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system that distributes radio access information;

0006<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used in portions of the system described in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

0007<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> depicts an illustrative embodiment of communication system that provides media services and distributes radio access information;

0008<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device that can operate in the systems of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 3</figref>; and

0009<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0010The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrative embodiments for providing information to an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) by selectively bypassing the S14 interface between the ANDSF and an end user device. Existing communication paths, such as Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling, can be used for delivering or otherwise exchanging information with the ANDSF. In one or more embodiments, the ANDSF can be a stand-alone device. Other embodiments are described in the subject disclosure.

0011In one or more embodiments, an indirect interface, such as via SIP signaling through the IMS network, can be used in addition to or in place of communications (e.g., via S14 interface) between the end user device and the ANDSF, Packet Data Network and IMS service network policy servers with established SIP session signaling and NSM. One or more of the exemplary embodiments describe replacing or supplementing the S14 interface with the SIP signaling (or other signaling). The exemplary embodiments can replace or supplement various interfaces between the end user device and the ANDSF. The exemplary embodiments can replace or supplement various interfaces between the end user device and wireless network and IMS network policy servers.

0012One or more of the exemplary embodiments can supplement or replace communication over the S14 interface with communication via SIP signaling. For example, an end user device initiates a registrar process when the phone first turns on, as well as when a user initiates an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) service (e.g., Voice-over-IP (VoIP) or video communication) on an access network such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or WiFi. Information (e.g., radio access information such as describing neighboring cells) that is typically shared with an ANDSF by setting up an S14 interface can be included in SIP signaling to the IMS network which is already in place and being used. This information can be further sent from a Network Selection Manager (NSM) to the ANDSF resulting in a reduction of traffic between the end user device and the ANDSF over the S14 interface.

0013One or more of the exemplary embodiments can utilize the established connection between the IMS network and the ANDSF to enable Application Servers (AS) in Common Architecture for Real-Time Services (CARTS) to directly (e.g., via the NSM) communicate with the ANDSF for both getting feedback on changing parameters (such as bandwidth and other domain specific features for dynamic transcoding) and for content adaptation. The communication between the IMS network and the ANDSF can also enable the AS to enforce policies to the end user device via the ANDSF, such as priority services.

0014One or more of the exemplary embodiments can add application intelligence in supported services including enabling content adaptation, dynamic transcoding (codec, content limitation, and so forth). One or more of the exemplary embodiments can provide the ability to enforce and/or supplement additional service related policies such as priority services and/or premium services. One or more of the exemplary embodiments can provide an alternate or supplementary line of communication between the ANDSF and the end user device such as via SIP signaling. One or more of the exemplary embodiments can provide the ability to reserve resources in an access network, (e.g., in a WiFi network) via a Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) directly communicating with the end user device, such as in a hotspot 2.0 environment.

0015One embodiment of the subject disclosure is a method that includes receiving, by a system including a processor, a session initiation message from a mobile communication device, where the session initiation message includes radio access information. The method can include providing, by the system, the radio access information to a server without utilizing an S14 interface to enable the server to discover access networks in proximity to the mobile communication device and to enable the server to manage connections to the access networks. The providing of the radio access information can be responsive to a determination to reduce network traffic associated with the S14 interface.

0016One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a machine-readable storage device, including executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, facilitate performance of operations. The operations can include facilitating establishing an interface between the processor and a server, where the interface does not utilize an S14 interface, and where the server discovers access networks in proximity to a mobile communication device and manages connections to the access networks. The operations can include identifying a handover procedure between first and second access networks of the access networks for a single communication session of the mobile communication device, where the single communication session utilizes a first set of parameters for the first access network. The operations can include communicating a change in session parameters for the single communication session of the mobile communication device over the interface responsive to the identifying of the handover procedure. The communicating of the change in session parameters over the interface can cause the single communication session to utilize a second set of parameters for the second access network.

0017One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a communication device with a processor and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations. The operations can include detecting a request for communication services and, responsive to the detecting of the request, providing radio access information to a first server of an IP multimedia subsystem network to cause the first server to establish an interface between the first server and a second server for providing the radio access information to the second server. The interface does not utilize an S14 interface. The providing of the radio access information is responsive to a determination to reduce network traffic associated with the S14 interface. The providing of the radio access information to the second server causes the second server to discover access networks in proximity to the communication device and to manage connections to the access networks.

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system <b>100</b> that includes an IMS network <b>110</b>, an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) <b>150</b>, and an access network <b>180</b> (e.g., a WiFi access network). The IMS network <b>110</b> enables combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switched systems. The EPC <b>150</b> enables support for, and mobility between, multiple heterogeneous access networks, such as E-UTRA (e.g., LTE and LTE Advanced air interface), 3GPP legacy systems (e.g., GERAN or UTRAN, air interfaces of GPRS and UMTS), and non-3GPP systems (e.g., WiFi, WiMAX and cdma2000). In this example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a call flow is depicted which is an LTE origination call flow to the mobile communication device <b>106</b> operating on the PSTN and includes a handover to a WiFi access network. However, the exemplary embodiments can be applied to various networks utilizing various communication protocols described herein and/or can be applied to various types of communication services (e.g., voice, video, data and/or messaging).

0019In this example, establishing the original call can include device <b>105</b> sending a SIP INVITE message to P-CSCF <b>115</b> and the P-CSCF forwarding the SIP INVITE message to the Serving Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF). The S-CSCF can check the Initial Filter Criteria (iFC) for device <b>105</b> for originating processing. The S-CSCF can determine that it needs to invoke SCC-AS processing then the S-CSCF can send the SIP INVITE message to the SCC-AS (e.g., the first route header contains SCC-AS information and the second route header contains S-CSCF itself). After the SCC-AS processing, the SCC-AS can act as a Back-To-Back User Agent (B2BUA) and can send the SIP INVITE message back to the S-CSCF (as defined in second route header). Based on the iFC for device <b>105</b>, a Telephony Application Server (TAS) can be invoked as the second AS for originating processing. The S-CSCF can send the SIP INVITE message to the TAS (e.g., first route header contains TAS information and second route header contains S-CSCF itself). After the TAS finishes its processing, it can act as the B2BUA and can send the call back to the S-CSCF (as defined in second route header). Based on the iFC for device <b>105</b>, there may be no more AS that needs to be invoked for originating processing. The S-CSCF can perform an ENUM query. The ENUM can return with a negative response or only a Tel URI. The S-CSCF can route the call to the BGCF. The BGCF can perform an LNP dip and can send the SIP INVITE message to the appropriate CSG. The CSG can send an IAM to reach the terminating endpoint of device <b>106</b>. A bearer path can be set up between device <b>105</b> and the SBC/P-CSCF (using IP), between the SBC/P-CSCF and CSG (using IP), and between the CSG and the device <b>106</b> (using PSTN). In one embodiment, if the device <b>106</b> is also in LTE coverage, LTE termination can be continued in the call termination part of the call flow. The media release may be performed at the SBC/P-CSCF and the voice bearer can be anchored at the PDN-GW/SAE-GW and not the SBC/P-CSCF.

0020Continuing with this example, the SIP INVITE message or other SIP signaling can include (e.g., in its payload) radio access information from the mobile communication device <b>105</b>. The radio access information (delivered to the ANDSF via a direct interface <b>140</b>) can enable or otherwise facilitate an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) <b>155</b> to discover one or more access networks in a vicinity of the device <b>105</b> and/or provide rules or policies to prioritize services and/or manage connections to these access networks. The radio access information can be various types of information including data describing neighboring cells associated with a location of the mobile communication device <b>105</b>. The radio access information can be extracted or otherwise obtained from the SIP signaling by a NSM of the P-CSCF <b>115</b> and delivered to the ANDSF <b>155</b> via the direct interface <b>140</b>. In one embodiment, the direct interface <b>140</b> can be a connection established between the P-CSCF <b>115</b> and the ANDSF <b>155</b> that bypasses one or more elements of the access network <b>180</b> including one or more of a Session Border Controller (SBC), a Trusted Wireless Access Gateway (TWAG), a Trusted Wireless local area network (WLAN) Authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) Proxy (TWAP) or a Wireless Access Point (WAP).

0021In one embodiment of system <b>100</b>, an interface between Application Server (AS) <b>120</b> and the ANDSF <b>155</b> can be established where the interface does not utilize an S14 interface, and where the interface utilizes direct interface <b>140</b>. The exemplary embodiments can replace or supplement various interfaces between the end user device and the ANDSF. In this example, a handover procedure between first and second access networks (e.g., between LTE and WiFi access networks) can be detected or otherwise predicted (e.g., based on a speed and/or direction of movement of device <b>105</b>) for a single communication session of the mobile communication device <b>105</b>. The single communication session can utilize a first set of parameters for the first access network, such as bandwidth, codec, transcoding type, and so forth. A change in session parameters according to the change in access networks can be communicated or otherwise exchanged over the interface, such as responsive to identifying or predicting the handover procedure. The communicating or exchanging of the change in session parameters over the interface can cause the single communication session to utilize a second set of parameters (e.g., an adjusted bandwidth, an adjusted latency, an adjusted packet loss, an adjusted codec, and/or an adjusted transcoding type) for the second access network. In one embodiment, the first set of parameters can be negotiated by the AS <b>120</b> responsive to an initiation of the single communication session by the mobile communication device <b>105</b>. In one embodiment, the communicating of the change in session parameters over the interface causes an adjustment of a codec utilized for the single communication session. In one embodiment, the change in session parameters includes a bandwidth change, and the communicating of the change in session parameters over the interface enables content adaptation for the mobile communication device. In one embodiment, policy information can be communicated over the interface to enable the AS <b>120</b> to enforce a policy for prioritization of services at the mobile communication device <b>105</b>. The exemplary embodiments can replace or supplement various interfaces between the end user device and wireless network and IMS network policy servers.

0022In one embodiment, system <b>100</b> provides for intelligent capability negotiation and content adaptation of services. For instance, when the AS <b>120</b> initiates an IMS service with the device <b>105</b>, there can be certain capability parameter negotiations and agreements on resources and sets of parameters that are optimum or desired for that environment (i.e., access network), such as the bandwidth and codec being used for the streaming of video for a video chat service would be set for that specific domain. When the device <b>105</b> moves to a new domain (e.g., from LTE to WiFi), the network connectivity might change but the communication session would be relying on the same initial negotiated resource parameters even though the underlying network has changed. System <b>100</b> leverages the ongoing communication between the IMS network <b>110</b> and the ANDSF <b>155</b>, so that the AS <b>120</b> in the IMS network can intelligently and dynamically change its capability parameters as a part of the handover procedure. This can give a content adaptation and/or dynamic transcoding ability to services offered from CARTS cloud.

0023When the device <b>105</b> initiates or starts, the device <b>105</b> can perform a SIP registration as part of startup sequences before going to idle waiting for service startup, such as VoIP or other IMS services. This means there is a signaling communication path between device <b>105</b> and the IMS network <b>110</b>. Device <b>105</b> can be programmed to communicate RAT information to the P-CSCF <b>115</b> which forwards the RAT information to the ANDSF <b>155</b> via the NSM. System <b>100</b> through use of interface <b>140</b> can reduce or supplement the communication traffic on the S14 interface between the ANDSF <b>155</b> and the device <b>105</b>. In one embodiment, system <b>100</b> can perform service-related policy provisioning/enforcement. In this example, a user of device <b>105</b> (such as reporter in a disaster area) can initiate a high priority service and the access network can accommodate the higher priority session for the given service in an optimum domain (such as by keeping the high-priority session in LTE during a congested network). When a secondary priority service in the same location (e.g., a video link to a surgery room) is running simultaneously and demands a higher bandwidth in midsession, the AS <b>120</b> in CARTS can communicate with the ANDSF <b>155</b> and other network resource management elements to change priority and/or policies of currently running services via communicating directly through the NSM and the direct interface <b>140</b>.

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method <b>200</b> that can be used by system <b>100</b> or other communication systems. Method <b>200</b> can begin at <b>202</b> with radio access information being provided from an end user device, such as mobile communication device <b>105</b>, to a network processor such as a network server that includes the NSM located in the P-CSCF <b>115</b> of the IMS network <b>110</b>. The radio access information can be various types of information, such as data associated with neighboring cells, as well as other information that facilitates discovery of an access network(s) in the vicinity of the mobile communication device <b>105</b> and/or facilitates providing rules and/or policies to prioritize services and/or manage connections to the access network(s). In one embodiment, the radio access information can be delivered to the P-CSCF <b>115</b> via a session initiation message from the mobile communication device <b>105</b>, such as being included in the payload of a SIP registration message or other SIP signaling from the mobile communication device to the P-CSCF. The exemplary embodiments can include the radio access information being otherwise included in SIP signaling, such as included in a header or other field of the message. In one embodiment, the providing of the radio access information can be in response to a startup sequence of the mobile communication device <b>105</b>, for example, where the mobile communication device does a SIP registration as a part of startup sequences before going to idle waiting for service startup, such as VoIP and/or other IMS services.

0025At <b>204</b>, the radio access information can be provided to a server (e.g., ANDSF <b>155</b>) to enable the server to discover an access network(s) in proximity to the mobile communication device <b>105</b> and/or to enable the server to prioritize services and/or manage connections to the access network(s). In this embodiment, the radio access information or a portion thereof is provided to the server without being transmitted over an S14 interface between the server and the mobile communication device <b>105</b>. The exemplary embodiments can replace or supplement various interfaces between the end user device and the ANDSF. The exemplary embodiments can replace or supplement various interfaces between the end user device and wireless network and IMS network policy servers. As an example, the server can include the ANDSF <b>155</b> and the direct interface <b>140</b> can be established between the P-CSCF <b>115</b> and the ANDSF <b>155</b>. As explained herein, a direct interface can include network elements between the source and recipient devices (e.g., the P-CSCF <b>115</b> and the ANDSF <b>155</b>) where the network elements facilitate traffic flow, such as routers and switches. The direct interface in this example between the P-CSCF <b>115</b> and the ANDSF <b>155</b> can exclude or otherwise bypass the S14 interface, session border controllers of the access network(s), the TWAG of the access network <b>180</b>, the TWAP of the access network <b>180</b>, and/or the WAP of the access network <b>180</b>. In one embodiment, network conditions associated with the S14 interface (or with establishing a potential S14 interface) can be monitored. The network conditions can include network traffic (e.g., associated with the ANDSF, and/or elements of the access network <b>180</b> including one or more of the SBC, the TWAG, the TWAP, the WAP, and so forth), network element resource usage (e.g., usage of the ANDSF, and/or elements of the access network <b>180</b> including one or more of the SBC, the TWAG, the TWAP, the WAP, and so forth), historical network traffic (e.g., past traffic associated with the ANDSF, and/or elements of the access network <b>180</b> including one or more of the SBC, the TWAG, the TWAP, the WAP, and so forth), historical network element resource usage (e.g., past usage of the ANDSF, and/or elements of the access network <b>180</b> including one or more of the SBC, the TWAG, the TWAP, the WAP, and so forth), and/or signal quality. One or more of these network conditions can be analyzed resulting in a determination to reduce the network traffic associated with the S14 interface which can trigger the use of steps <b>202</b> and <b>204</b> to bypass the S14 interface in delivering the radio access information (or other information such as information associated with AS <b>120</b>) to the ANDSF <b>155</b>.

0026In one embodiment at <b>208</b>, monitoring for a handover between additional access networks (such as between an LTE network and a WiFi network) can be performed. If a handover occurs then at <b>210</b>, information can be exchanged between the AS <b>120</b> and the ANDSF <b>155</b> without utilizing the S14 interface. The exchanged information can enable application level intelligence for services being provided to the mobile communication device <b>105</b> including mid-session continuity, content adaptation and/or codec re-negotiation. In this embodiment, the exchange of information between the AS <b>120</b> and the ANDSF <b>155</b> allows a communication session to be improved according to a change in access networks, such as adjusting a first set of negotiated parameters (e.g., one or more of codec, bandwidth, resources, and so forth) to a second set of parameters (e.g., one or more of codec, bandwidth, resources, and so forth) that are more suited for the particular environment (i.e., the new access network following the handover procedure).

0027As an example, a change to session parameters can be communicated or otherwise exchanged without utilizing the S14 interface (e.g., via the direct interface <b>140</b>) responsive to the handover procedure where the change to session parameters comprises a bandwidth change, and where the exchange of the change to session parameters enables content adaptation for the mobile communication device <b>105</b>. In another embodiment, the AS <b>120</b> and the ANDSF <b>155</b> can communicate policy information without utilizing the S14 interface (e.g., via the direct interface <b>140</b>) to enable the AS <b>120</b> to enforce a policy for prioritization of services at the mobile communication device <b>105</b>. The exchange of information between the AS <b>120</b> and the ANDSF <b>155</b> can be for a single communication session of the mobile communication device <b>105</b> where different access networks are being used during the session.

0028In one embodiment, a direct interface (e.g., interface <b>140</b>) between the P-CSCF <b>115</b> and the ANDSF <b>155</b> can be used in conjunction with an S14 interface. For example, the route for delivering information (i.e., the direct interface <b>140</b> or the S14 interface) can be selected based on a number of factors including network conditions, type of information, type of service(s) being rendered to the mobile communication device <b>105</b>, quality of service parameters and/or thresholds, and so forth. In one embodiment, the information or a portion thereof can be transmitted over both the direct interface <b>140</b> and the S14 interface, such as to provide redundancy of delivery.

0029One or more of the exemplary embodiments can provide various communication services including voice, video, data and/or messaging services. The exemplary embodiments can be directed to or otherwise used in conjunction with various types of access networks and/or various types of systems for providing communication services such as interactive television systems including an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media system, a satellite broadcast television system, analog or digital cable broadcast distribution system, and so forth. For example, the IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) with at least one super headend office server (SHS) which receives media content from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems. In the present context, media content can represent, for example, audio content, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games, virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof. The SHS server can forward packets associated with the media content to one or more video head-end servers (VHS) via a network of video head-end offices (VHO) according to a multicast communication protocol.

0030The VHS can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an access network to commercial and/or residential buildings housing a gateway (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The access network can represent a group of digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service area interface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links or copper twisted pairs to buildings. The gateway can use communication technology to distribute broadcast signals to media processors such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn present broadcast channels to media devices such as computers or television sets managed in some instances by a media controller (such as an infrared or RF remote controller). The gateway, the media processors, and media devices can utilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerline or phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocol such as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, or other present or next generation local or personal area wireless network technologies. By way of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invoked between the media processors and subsystems of the IPTV media system for services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronic programming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

0031The satellite broadcast television system can utilize signals transmitted by a satellite that include media content and which can be received by a satellite dish receiver coupled to the building. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver can be transferred to the media processors for demodulating, decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the media devices. The media processors can be equipped with a broadband port to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network to enable interactive services such as VoD and EPG as described above. The analog or digital cable broadcast distribution system such as a cable TV system can provide Internet, telephony, and interactive media services. The exemplary embodiments can apply to other present or next generation over-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

0032Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices over landline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, media services can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless access base station operating according to common wireless access protocols such as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Access or CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal Mobile Telecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave or WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and so on. Other present and next generation wide area wireless access network technologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system <b>300</b> employing an IMS network architecture to facilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switched systems. Communication system <b>300</b> can be overlaid or operably coupled with system <b>100</b> as another representative embodiment of communication system <b>300</b>. System <b>300</b> provides for the direct interface <b>140</b> between an IMS network <b>350</b> and the ANDSF <b>155</b>. The exemplary embodiments can replace or supplement various interfaces between the end user device and wireless network and IMS network policy servers. Interface <b>140</b> can be utilized to alleviate network traffic associated with an S14 interface and/or to enable application servers to provide mid-session continuity, codec negotiation, content adaptation, and so forth, such as responsive to a handover between access networks or responsive to a change in network conditions. The exemplary embodiments can replace or supplement various interfaces between the end user device and the ANDSF. Interface <b>140</b> further allows application servers to enforce and/or supplement additional service related policies such as priority services and/or premium services. Interface <b>140</b> additionally enables the ANDSF <b>155</b> to dynamically receive session parameter information (from the application servers, from the end user devices and/or from other network elements) so that the communication session can be updated according to changing conditions associated with the session, such as a change in network capabilities causes by a handover from a first access network to a second access network.

0034Communication system <b>300</b> can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) <b>340</b>, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server <b>330</b>, and other network elements of an IMS network <b>350</b>. The IMS network <b>350</b> can establish communications between IMS-compliant communication devices (CDs) <b>301</b>, <b>302</b>, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs <b>303</b>, <b>305</b>, and combinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF) <b>320</b> coupled to a PSTN network <b>360</b>. The MGCF <b>320</b> need not be used when a communication session involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. A communication session involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize the MGCF <b>320</b>.

0035IMS CDs <b>301</b>, <b>302</b> can register with the IMS network <b>350</b> by contacting a Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with an interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with a Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS <b>340</b>. To initiate a communication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD <b>301</b> can submit a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originating P-CSCF <b>304</b> which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF <b>306</b>. The originating S-CSCF <b>306</b> can submit the SIP INVITE message to one or more application servers (ASs) <b>317</b> that can provide a variety of services to IMS subscribers. As explained herein the SIP INVITE message or other SIP signaling can include information that enables the ANDSF to perform various functions including discovering access networks in the vicinity of the end user device and/or providing rules and/or policies to prioritize services and/or manage connections to these access networks.

0036For example, the application servers <b>317</b> can be used to perform originating call feature treatment functions on the calling party number received by the originating S-CSCF <b>306</b> in the SIP INVITE message. Originating treatment functions can include determining whether the calling party number has international calling services, call ID blocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit dialing, and/or is requesting special telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel call forwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initial filter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various call originating feature services.

0037Additionally, the originating S-CSCF <b>306</b> can submit queries to the ENUM system <b>330</b> to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITE message to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminating communication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by an Interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) <b>307</b> to submit a query to the HSS <b>340</b> to identify a terminating S-CSCF <b>314</b> associated with a terminating IMS CD such as reference <b>302</b>. Once identified, the I-CSCF <b>307</b> can submit the SIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF <b>314</b>. The terminating S-CSCF <b>314</b> can then identify a terminating P-CSCF <b>316</b> associated with the terminating CD <b>302</b>. The P-CSCF <b>316</b> may then signal the CD <b>302</b> to establish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services, thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voice and/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile, one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various call terminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb, music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

0038In some instances the aforementioned communication process is symmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communication system <b>300</b> can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition, communication system <b>300</b> can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs <b>301</b>, <b>302</b> with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system <b>100</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0039If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD <b>303</b> or CD <b>305</b> (in instances where the cellular phone only supports circuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system <b>330</b> can respond with an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originating S-CSCF <b>306</b> to forward the call to the MGCF <b>320</b> via a Breakout Gateway Control Function (BGCF) <b>319</b>. The MGCF <b>320</b> can then initiate the call to the terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network <b>360</b> to enable the calling and called parties to engage in voice and/or data communications.

0040It is further appreciated that the CDs of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> can operate as wireline or wireless devices. For example, the CDs of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> can be communicatively coupled to a cellular base station <b>321</b>, a femtocell, a WiFi router, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) base unit, or another suitable wireless access unit to establish communications with the IMS network <b>350</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>. The cellular access base station <b>321</b> can operate according to common wireless access protocols such as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, WiMax, SDR, LTE, and so on. Other present and next generation wireless network technologies can be used by one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. Accordingly, multiple wireline and wireless communication technologies can be used by the CDs of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>.

0041Cellular phones supporting LTE can support packet-switched voice and packet-switched data communications and thus may operate as IMS-compliant mobile devices. In this embodiment, the cellular base station <b>321</b> may communicate directly with the IMS network <b>350</b> as shown by the arrow connecting the cellular base station <b>321</b> and the P-CSCF <b>316</b>.

0042Alternative forms of a CSCF can operate in a device, system, component, or other form of centralized or distributed hardware and/or software. Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as a respective CSCF system having one or more computers or servers, either centralized or distributed, where each computer or server may be configured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step, or functionality described herein in accordance with a respective CSCF. Likewise, other functions, servers and computers described herein, including but not limited to, the HSS, the ENUM server, the BGCF, and the MGCF, can be embodied in a respective system having one or more computers or servers, either centralized or distributed, where each computer or server may be configured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step, or functionality described herein in accordance with a respective function, server, or computer.

0043CDs <b>301</b>, <b>302</b>, <b>303</b> and <b>305</b> can be adapted with software to perform function <b>372</b> to utilize the services of the ANDSF <b>155</b> and the services of AS <b>317</b>. Function <b>372</b> can include communicating radio access information to the ANDSF <b>155</b> via the IMS network <b>350</b> without utilizing (or in addition to utilizing) an S14 interface. The radio access information can be various types of information that enable the ANDSF to perform functions <b>376</b> including discovering access network(s) in the vicinity of the end user devices, utilizing rules and/or policies to prioritize services and/or manage connections to the access networks. System <b>300</b> also provides the AS(s) <b>317</b> with the ability to perform functions <b>374</b> which include communicating with the ANDSF <b>155</b> (such as mid-session including responsive to a handover event or a change in parameters of an access network) to enable various processes including consideration of Application Layer Performance criteria, and/or consideration of user preferences (such as to establish mid-session continuity), codec re-negotiation, and/or content adaptation. In one embodiment, system <b>300</b> provides for layer-7 communications between the ANDSF <b>155</b> and the IMS network to enable Application Level Intelligence for allowing the ANDSF to promptly communicate with the IMS and the AS(s) <b>317</b> in order to accommodate mid-session continuity, content adaptation, codec negotiation, and other functions that are responsive to a handover between access networks or responsive to a change in network parameters.

0044For illustration purposes only, the terms S-CSCF, P-CSCF, I-CSCF, and so on, can be server devices, but may be referred to in the subject disclosure without the word “server.” It is also understood that any form of a CSCF server can operate in a device, system, component, or other form of centralized or distributed hardware and software. It is further noted that these terms and other terms such as DIAMETER commands are terms can include features, methodologies, and/or fields that may be described in whole or in part by standards bodies such as 3^rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP). It is further noted that some or all embodiments of the subject disclosure may in whole or in part modify, supplement, or otherwise supersede final or proposed standards published and promulgated by 3GPP.

0045<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device <b>400</b>. Communication device <b>400</b> can serve in whole or in part as an illustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and/or 3</figref> including end user devices, network elements, third party servers, and so forth. Communication device <b>400</b> in whole or in part can represent any of the communication devices described in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 3</figref> and can be configured to perform all or portions of method <b>200</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, as well as functions <b>372</b>, <b>374</b> and/or <b>376</b>. Communication device <b>400</b> can also be configured to perform steps or functions described with respect to the exemplary embodiments while specifically excluding performing other steps or functions described with respect to the exemplary embodiments.

0046In one or more embodiment, communication device <b>400</b> can detect a request for communication services and, responsive to the detecting of the request, can provide radio access information to a first server of an IP multimedia subsystem network to cause the first server to establish an interface between the first server and a second server for providing the radio access information to the second server, where the interface does not utilize an S14 interface, where the providing of the radio access information is responsive to a determination to reduce network traffic associated with the S14 interface, and where the providing of the radio access information to the second server causes the second server to discover access networks in proximity to the communication device and to manage connections to the access networks. In one embodiment, the providing of the radio access information to the first server is via a session initiation protocol message transmitted from the communication device to the first server (such as in a payload of the SIP message. In one embodiment, the radio access information can include data associated with neighboring cells according to a location of the communication device. In one embodiment, the first server can include a proxy call session control function, and the second server can include an access network discovery and selection function. In one embodiment, policy information can be communicated over the interface to enable an application server of the IP multimedia subsystem network to enforce a policy for prioritization of services at the communication device. The exemplary embodiments can replace or supplement various interfaces between the end user device and wireless network and IMS network policy servers.

0047Communication device <b>400</b> can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver <b>402</b> (herein transceiver <b>402</b>), a user interface (UI) <b>404</b>, a power supply <b>414</b>, a location receiver <b>416</b>, a motion sensor <b>418</b>, an orientation sensor <b>420</b>, and a controller <b>406</b> for managing operations thereof. The transceiver <b>402</b> can support short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, or cellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth® and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special Interest Group and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1×, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communication technologies as they arise. The transceiver <b>402</b> can also be adapted to support circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and combinations thereof.

0048The UI <b>404</b> can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad <b>408</b> with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or a navigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device <b>400</b>. The keypad <b>408</b> can be an integral part of a housing assembly of the communication device <b>400</b> or an independent device operably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad <b>408</b> can represent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI <b>404</b> can further include a display <b>410</b> such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology for conveying images to an end user of the communication device <b>400</b>. In an embodiment where the display <b>410</b> is touch-sensitive, a portion or all of the keypad <b>408</b> can be presented by way of the display <b>410</b> with navigation features.

0049The display <b>410</b> can use touch screen technology to also serve as a user interface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, the communication device <b>400</b> can be adapted to present a user interface with graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger. The touch screen display <b>410</b> can be equipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can be used to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the user interface. The display <b>410</b> can be an integral part of the housing assembly of the communication device <b>400</b> or an independent device communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

0050The UI <b>404</b> can also include an audio system <b>412</b> that utilizes audio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard in proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system <b>412</b> can further include a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audio system <b>412</b> can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI <b>404</b> can further include an image sensor <b>413</b> such as a charged coupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

0051The power supply <b>414</b> can utilize common power management technologies such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulation technologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energy to the components of the communication device <b>400</b> to facilitate long-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or in combination, the charging system can utilize external power sources such as DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port or other suitable tethering technologies.

0052The location receiver <b>416</b> can utilize location technology such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS for identifying a location of the communication device <b>400</b> based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used for facilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor <b>418</b> can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motion of the communication device <b>400</b> in three-dimensional space. The orientation sensor <b>420</b> can utilize orientation sensing technology such as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device <b>400</b> (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations in degrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

0053The communication device <b>400</b> can use the transceiver <b>402</b> to also determine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wireless access points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements. The controller <b>406</b> can utilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executing computer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by the aforementioned components of the communication device <b>400</b>.

0054Other components not shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> can be used in one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communication device <b>400</b> can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button can be used to reset the controller <b>406</b> of the communication device <b>400</b>. In yet another embodiment, the communication device <b>400</b> can also include a factory default setting button positioned, for example, below a small hole in a housing assembly of the communication device <b>400</b> to force the communication device <b>400</b> to re-establish factory settings. In this embodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paper clip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button. The communication device <b>400</b> can also include a slot for adding or removing an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

0055The communication device <b>400</b> as described herein can operate with more or less of the circuit components shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. These variant embodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.

0056The communication device <b>400</b> can be adapted to perform the functions of devices of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and/or 3</figref>. It will be appreciated that the communication device <b>400</b> can also represent other devices that can operate in systems of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and/or 2</figref> such as a gaming console and a media player. In addition, the controller <b>406</b> can be adapted in various embodiments to perform the functions <b>372</b>, <b>374</b> and/or <b>376</b>.

0057Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can be modified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of the claims described below. For example, the selection of the routing path (i.e., via the IMS network or via the S14 interface) can be based on the type of information that is being provided (e.g., data associated with neighboring cells of the end user device), faults or other undesired conditions detected with respect to network elements that are predicted to be along the S14 interface, the type of communication session (e.g., a voice call vs. a video conference), subscriber agreements for quality of service thresholds, and so forth. In one embodiment, a separate network element can analyze SIP messaging (including analyzing payloads and/or headers) to identify radio access information that should be forwarded to the ANDSF <b>155</b>. Based on a detection of the radio access information, a direct interface between the separate network element and the ANDSF <b>155</b> can be established for delivery of the radio access information. Other embodiments can be used in the subject disclosure.

0058It should be understood that devices described in the exemplary embodiments can be in communication with each other via various wireless and/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that are described as coupled, connected and so forth, which can include unidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless paths and/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols or methodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g., no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediary processing device such as a router).

0059<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system <b>500</b> within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods described above. One or more instances of the machine can operate, for example, as the end user device <b>105</b>, the NSM or P-CSCF <b>115</b>, the AS <b>120</b>, the ANDSF <b>155</b> and so forth to facilitate delivery of information to enable discovering access network(s) in the vicinity of the end user device and/or providing rules and/or policies to prioritize services and/or manage connections to the access networks.

0060In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network <b>526</b>) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

0061The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will be understood that a communication device of the subject disclosure includes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video or data communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

0062The computer system <b>500</b> may include a processor (or controller) <b>502</b> (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a main memory <b>504</b> and a static memory <b>506</b>, which communicate with each other via a bus <b>508</b>. The computer system <b>500</b> may further include a display unit <b>510</b> (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display). The computer system <b>500</b> may include an input device <b>512</b> (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device <b>514</b> (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit <b>516</b>, a signal generation device <b>518</b> (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interface device <b>520</b>. In distributed environments, the embodiments described in the subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units <b>510</b> controlled by two or more computer systems <b>500</b>. In this configuration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may in part be shown in a first of the display units <b>510</b>, while the remaining portion is presented in a second of the display units <b>510</b>.

0063The disk drive unit <b>516</b> may include a tangible computer-readable storage medium <b>522</b> on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software <b>524</b>) embodying any one or more of the methods or functions described herein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions <b>524</b> may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory <b>504</b>, the static memory <b>506</b>, and/or within the processor <b>502</b> during execution thereof by the computer system <b>500</b>. The main memory <b>504</b> and the processor <b>502</b> also may constitute tangible computer-readable storage media.

0064Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits and programmable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executing state machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments of the subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

0065In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, the operations or methods described herein are intended for operation as software programs or instructions running on or executed by a computer processor or other computing device, and which may include other forms of instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logic components in an application specific integrated circuit or field programmable gate array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g., software programs, instructions, etc.) including, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein. It is further noted that a computing device such as a processor, a controller, a state machine or other suitable device for executing instructions to perform operations or methods may perform such operations directly or indirectly by way of one or more intermediate devices directed by the computing device.

0066While the tangible computer-readable storage medium <b>522</b> is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall also be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable of storing or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods of the subject disclosure. The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitory computer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives, devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.

0067The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the software implementations herein are stored.

0068Although the present specification describes components and functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-time superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g., RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, Zigbee®), and long-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used by computer system <b>500</b>.

0069The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The exemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or steps from multiple embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

0070Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure. In one or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can also be excluded from the embodiment with or without replacement by another component or step. The steps or functions described with respect to the exemplary processes or methods can be performed in any order. The steps or functions described with respect to the exemplary processes or methods can be performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions (from other embodiments or from other steps that have not been described).

0071Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to the exemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more of the exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms to describe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second, third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or function unless expressly stated so. The use of the terms first, second, third and so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components, steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, one or more devices or components described with respect to the exemplary embodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating (e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection) can include less than every step needed to perform the function or can include all of the steps needed to perform the function.

0072In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controller or circuit) has been described that performs various functions. It should be understood that the processor can be multiple processors, which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in a single machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used in supporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processing environment may support one or more virtual machines representing computers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtual machines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may be virtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a state machine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmable gate array including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when a processor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this can include the processor performing the operations directly and/or facilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or component to perform the operations.

0073The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.